Labels: TVXQ

ChunSangJiHee The Grace
천상지희 더 그레이스

天上智喜 The Grace

Also known as: TSZX The Grace,

CSJH The Grace,

Tenjochiki

Genre(s): Pop, K-pop, J-pop, A cappella, RnB, Dance

Occupation(s): Singer, Dancer

Years active: 2005–present

Label(s): SM Entertainment (Korea),
Avex Trax (Japan),
Rhythm Zone (Japan)

Website: 천상지희 (Korean),
TJCK (Japanese).

The Grace is a Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment. It consists of four members with skills in singing, dancing and also a bit of acting. The quartet debuted in 2005 and since then, the group gained popularity in South Korea and a number of other countries. Currently, much of their activity occurs in Japan, following the precedent of other Korean-turned-Japanese-celebrity pop stars such as S.E.S, and BoA, who are also managed by SM Entertainment.

The Grace had long been known as simply 천상지희 or 天上智喜 prior to the promotion of the 3rd Korean single around the end of 2006, at which point the group changed the name to the current ones to signal the change of the group's style to a more “graceful” one. The old name was usually shortened to TSZX (the romanization of the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation, Tiān Shàng Zhì Xǐ) or CSJH (the romanization of the Korean pronunciation, Cheon Sang Ji Hui), both of which are still widely used to refer to the band despite the change in the official name. The Grace is also known by a variety of other names, as different countries have different pronunciation for the four Chinese letters in the name. In Japan for example, the group is known as Tenjōchiki, which is also abbreviated (albeit less frequently) as TJCK.

However, in the beginning of 2004, the boy band TVXQ debuted and became a great success all over Asia. In the same year, four SM female singers released a song in the seasonal album 2004 Summer Vacation in SMTOWN.com, a re-recording of DANA's solo song "바램 (Fight To The End)". Besides DANA, other known SM artists included Jiyeon (from Isak N Jiyeon) plus two new faces: Sunday and Stephanie.

As their voices matched well, SM decided to make the four a new K-pop group, which, following TVXQ's steps, would also be an a cappella group.This new band would aim success not only in their home country of South Korea, but also China and Asia as a whole. They had a pre-debut showcase on September 14, 2004, but they had their official debut eight months later.

The group name was conceived using their new stage names: DANA is now HeeYeol DANA (Xi Yue in Chinese), JiYeon is SangMi LINA (Shang Mei), Sunday is JiSung Sunday (Zhi Sheng) and Stephanie is CheonMu Stephanie (Tian Wu). Cheon Sang Ji Hee means "Heaven Above Wisdom Joy" which approximately means "Wisdom and Joy above the Firmament (which is Heaven)"

2007

First full album

In April 2007, a teaser video of The Grace was released, revealing a new "sexy upgrade" to their look for their first full album; the video was aired on various Korean music channels. The album, entitled 한번 더, OK? (Hanbeon Deo, OK?, translated as "One More Time, OK?") was released on May 4, 2007.

"One More Time, OK?" is The Grace's most successful song to the date, topping MNET m! countdown and SBS Inkigayo charts. The album sales in its first month were almost four times what My Everything sold in total, ranking the album at 6th place for the month. On June 15th, the album was released in Taiwan, being The Grace's first major release overseas.

A month and a half after release, the album was suggested to be inappropriate for younger audiences by The Commission on Youth Protection. The songs "One More Time, OK?" and "Tonight Is On Me" were considered to have "suggestive lyrics". The Commission on Youth Protection is currently undergoing judgement to see if the album will be flagged. The final decision will be made towards the end of August. If flagged, the album will have a 19+ sticker attached before being put to sale.

In July, the group began to promote their second single, "女友 (그녀들의 수다)" ("Girlfriends"), on the various music shows. Later, towards the end July, The Grace released their second music video from the album 한번 더, OK?, "Dancer In The Rain" which became the group's third single from their first album.

Japanese single and album

Tenjōchiki's official website announced a new single to be released on August 1st. This single will feature 3 new songs: a dance number named "Piranha" and Japanese versions of the songs "My Everything" and "Just For One Day", which features TVXQ's JaeJoong. The first presses included a remix of "The Club (song)" featuring SEAMO, their first remix to be released on CD. The single debuted at no.26 in the daily charts and ended in no.50 in the weekly charts.

On September 11, 2007, the group's official site announced the release date for their first full-length Japanese album. The original release date was announced November 21st, though the date was then moved a week earlier to November 14th. The album, entitled Graceful 4, consists of 9 of their A-side single releases and new material, including "One More Time, OK?", a translated Japanese version of their 1st Korean album's single "Hanbeon Do, OK?". "Just For One Day" has also been remixed for the album, having a jazz variation.

As of early 2008, The Grace is still promoting themselves in Japan, singing on various events in support of their first album. On March 20 and 23, they will handle their first solo concert, titled Graceful Party Vol. 1.

Members

Stephanie

• Real Name: Kim Bo-Kyung (김보경), Stephanie Kim (스테파니 김)
• Stage Name: Tian'wu Stephanie, Cheonmu Stephanie, Stephanie The Grace
• Stage Name Meaning: Dance of Heaven
• Birth Date: October 16, 1987 (1987-10-16) (age 20)
• Other Works: Some American musicals; female part in Kangta & Vanness' "127day" music video.

Stephanie was discovered by SM scouts after winning the annual Southern California "Teen Best Competition" in 2004. She had trained in ballet since the age of 5. At that time, she moved from Korea to San Diego, California, and took part in a California based ballet group. She was offered a scholarship to the prestigious Boston Ballet University but she turned it down when the famous SM Entertainment came knocking. As an American, she is very fluent in English.

LINA

• Real Name: Lee Ji-Yeon (이지연)
• Stage Name: Shangmei Lina, Sangmi Lina, Lina The Grace
• Stage Name Meaning: Beauty of Heaven
• Birth Date: February 18, 1984 (1984-02-18) (age 24)
• Other Works: One album as part of IsakNJiyeon, Female part in Kangta & Vanness' "Scandal" music video, The TRAX's "First Rain" MV, and Fly to the Sky's "Goodbye" music video.

JiYeon, as a member of Isak N Jiyeon, released just one album in 2003.

Sunday

• Real Name: Jin Bo-Ra (진보라)
• Stage Name: Zhisheng Sunday, Jiseong Sunday, Sunday The Grace
• Stage Name Meaning: Soft Voice of Heaven
• Birth Date: January 12, 1987 (1987-01-12) (age 21)
• Other Works: Two Japanese singles as a soloist; Fly To The Sky "Maybe God Knows" music video.

Sunday had been an exclusive trainee for SM since 2002. She changed her real name, Bora, to avoid comparisons with BoA, a fellow SM member and one of the most successful SM artists to date. She released two singles in Japan between 2004 and 2005: リラの片想い (Lira no Kataomoi) and ウソツキBOY (UsotsukiBOY). Both singles has low sales, even though UsotsukiBOY was produced by the famous Japanese rap duo m-flo. She had to live in Japan for two years; as a result, she has become fluent in the Japanese language.

DANA

• Real Name: Hong Sung-Mi (홍성미)
• Stage Name: Xi'yue Dana, Hui-yeol Dana, Dana The Grace
• Stage Name Meaning: Happiness of Heaven
• Birth Date: July 17, 1986 (1986-07-17) (age 21)
• Other Works: Two albums as a soloist; Kangta "Polaris" music video, H.O.T.'s filim Age of Peace.

DANA had already released two solo albums in Korea in 2001 and 2003. Though her first album did well, the second failed to catch an audience.

Korean albums

2007

한번 더, OK? (One More Time, OK?)

• Released: May 4, 2007 (South Korea)
• Length: N/A
• Korea top 50 position: #06
• Korea 2007 top 100 albums: #53
• Reported sales: 17,712

Track Listing

1. 한번 더, OK? (One More Time, OK?)

2. 女友 (그녀들의 수다) (Girlfriends (Girl Talk))

3. 女友 Interlude (Girlfriends Interlude)
4. Sweet Emotion
5. 그 사람... 욕하지 마요 (Heart Break)
6. RENEW
7. 4월의 첫 날 (April Fools' Day)
8. Dancer In The Rain
9. 아니기를 (Not To Be)
10. 하루만 (Just For One Day) feat. KyuHyun (Super Junior)
11. Tonight Is On Me
12. Dancing Queen (Acapella)
13. 열정 (My Everything)
14. Boomerang
15. The Club feat. RAIN

Japanese albums

1^st

Graceful 4

Released: November 14, 2007

Length: N/A

Oricon top 200 weekly peak: #103 (#34 daily)

Korea top20 pop chart: #17

Reported sales: 1,622 copies (Japan);
2,005 copies (Korea)

CD

1. Piranha
2. One More Time, OK?
3. Just For One Day (TENJOCHIKI feat. JEJUNG from Tohoshinki) (Special Edition)
4. I'll Kiss You
5. Boomerang
6. PARDON ME??
7. 5cm
8. Sweet Flower
9. Get on the floor (TENJOCHIKI & DOGMA)
10. The Club (TENJOCHIKI feat. SEAMO)
11. juicy LOVE (TENJOCHIKI feat. CORNHEAD)
12. My Everything

DVD

1. One More Time, OK? Video Clip
2. Piranha Video Clip
3. juicy LOVE Video Clip
4. Sweet Flower Video Clip
5. The Club Video Clip
6. Boomerang Video Clip

Korean singles

1st Too Good

Released: April 29, 2005

Studio Album: One More Time, OK?

Korea top 200 position: #33

Reported sales: 4,911 copies sold (South Korea)

Can't Help Falling In Love (Acapella)

Track Listing

1. Boomerang
2. Too Good
3. 오랫동안 (Your Smile)
4. Boomerang (instrumental)
5. Too Good (instrumental)

2nd The Club

Released: March 3, 2006

Studio Album: One More Time, OK?

Korea top 200 position: #26

Reported sales: 3,004 copies sold (South Korea)

Track Listing

1. The Club feat. RAIN
2. What U Want feat. Stephanie
3. The Club (instrumental)
4. What U Want (instrumental)

3rd 열정 (My Everything)

Released: November 6, 2006

Studio Album: One More Time, OK?

Korea top 200 position: #30

Reported sales: 2,447 copies sold (South Korea)

Track Listing

1. 열정 (My Everything) (Passion)
2. The Final Sentence
3. IRIS (할 말이 있어요) (I Have Something To Say)
4. Faith (Acapella)
5. 열정 (My Everything) (Radio Edit)

Japanese singles

1st Boomerang

Released: January 25, 2006

Studio Album: Graceful 4

Oricon top 200 weekly peak: #110

Reported sales: 967 copies (Japan)

CD

1. Boomerang
2. Do You Know? (TENJOCHIKi feat. Sunday)
3. Boomerang (instrumental)
4. Do You Know? (instrumental)

DVD (Limited Edition)

1. Boomerang Promotional Video
2. 天上智喜 SPECIAL INTERVIEW
3. OFF SHOT & MAKING

2nd The Club

Released: March 8, 2006

Studio Album: Graceful 4

Oricon top 200 weekly peak: #131

Reported sales: 816 copies (Japan)

CD

1. The Club (TENJOCHIKI feat. SEAMO)
2. What U Want (TENJOCHIKI feat. Stephanie)
3. The Club (instrumental)
4. What U Want (instrumental)

DVD (Limited Edition)

1. The Club Promotional Video
2. Off Shot & Making

3rd Sweet Flower

Released: April 26, 2006

Studio Album: Graceful 4

Oricon top 200 weekly peak: #151

Reported sales: 572 copies (Japan)

CD

1. Sweet Flower
2. Rock'n' Roll Star (TENJOCHIKI feat. Lina)
3. Sweet Flower (instrumental)
4. Rock'n' Roll Star (instrumental)

DVD (Limited Edition)

1. Sweet Flower Video Clip
2. Off Shot & Video Clip Making

4th juicy LOVE

Released: July 12, 2006

Studio Album: Graceful 4

Oricon top 200 weekly peak: #162

Reported sales: 487 copies (Japan)

CD

1. juicy LOVE (TENJOCHIKI feat. CORNHEAD)
2. さよならの向こうに (TENJOCHIKI feat. Dana) (Sayonara no Mukou ni)
3. juicy LOVE (instrumental)
4. さよならの向こうに (instrumental)

DVD (Limited Edition)

1. juicy LOVE Video Clip
2. Off Shot & Video Clip Making

5th Piranha

Released: August 1, 2007

Studio Album: Graceful 4

Oricon top 200 weekly peak: #50 (#26 daily)

Korea top20 position: #6

Reported sales: 2,466+ (Japan)
2,170 (South Korea)

CD

1. Piranha
2. My Everything
3. Just For One Day (TENJOCHIKI feat. JEJUNG from Tohoshinki)
4. The Club "STY Gin n' Tonic Remix" (TENJOCHIKI feat. SEAMO) (first press only)
5. Piranha (instrumental)
6. My Everything (instrumental)
7. Just For One Day (instrumental with JEJUNG)
8. Just For One Day (instrumental with TENJOCHIKI)

DVD

1. Piranha Video Clip

6th Stand Up People

Released: July 23, 2008

Studio Album: TBA

Oricon top 200 weekly peak: N/A

Reported sales: TBA (Japan)

CD

1. Stand Up People
2. TBA
3. One More Time, OK? (Remix)
4. Stand Up People (instrumental)
5. TBA (instrumental)

DVD

1. Stand Up People Video Clip
2. Off Shot & Video Clip Making (first press only)

+ selected Graceful Party Vol.1 performances

Overseas releases

• Too Good (Chinese Edition) (Released: March 31, 2006)
• Includes Chinese versions of Boomerang and Too Good, plus 바램 (Fight To The End).
• Boomerang (Chinese Release) (Released: June 19, 2006)
• The Club (Asian Special Edition) (Released: July 7, 2006)
• Includes Chinese version of The Club and a DVD with the Korean Music Video.
• 한번 더, OK? (One More Time, OK?) (Taiwanese Release) (Released: June 15, 2007)

SMTown

• 04 Summer Vacation (Released: June 30, 2004)
• Track 07: 바램 (Fight To The End)
• 2006 Summer SM TOWN (Released: June 21, 2006)
• Track 06: Catch the shooting star
• 2006 Winter SMTOWN (Released: December 13, 2006)
• Track 04: Dreams Come True
• 2007 Summer SMTOWN (Released: July 5, 2007)
• Track 07: Festival
• 2007 Winter SMTOWN (Released: December 7, 2007)
• Track 05: We Wish You A Merry Christmas & Feliz Navidad

Soundtracks

• Backdancers! Original Soundtrack (Released: August 23, 2006) (Japan)
• Track 04: Get on the floor (TENJOCHIKI & DOGMA)
• Billy Jean Look at Me Original Soundtrack (Released: January 24, 2007) (Korea)
• Track 01: Angels (rock version) (Sunday)
• Track 04: Out of Sight, Out of Mind (DANA)
• Lovers Ah Original Soundtrack (Released: April 16, 2007) (Korea)
• Track 01: 사랑하고 있어 (Sunday)
• Track 04: 4월의 첫날 (April Fool's Day)
• Air City Original Soundtrack (Released: May 23, 2007) (Korea)
• Track 06: 하루만 (Just For One Day) feat. KyuHyun (Super Junior)
• Air City Original Soundtrack (Released: January 1, 2008 (Japan)
• Track 17: Just For One Day feat. JEJUNG from Tohoshinki

DVDs

• Rhythm Nation 2006 -The biggest indoor music festival- (Released: July 11, 2007) (Japan)
• Track 07: Boomerang
• a-nation '07 BEST HIT LIVE (Released: November 7, 2007) (Japan)
• Track 04: Piranha
• Rhythm Nation 2007 -The biggest indoor music festival- (Released: April 2, 2008) (Japan)
• Track 15: One More Time, OK?

Awards

2005: Best New Singer Group (12th South Korean Performing Arts Awards)
2005: Best Foreign Singer Group (3rd South-East Music Ceremony)
2006: Hallyu All Star Award (13th South Korean Performing Arts Awards)
2007: Air-Monitor Chart #1
2007: Daily Album Chart #1 (Hanteo Charts)
2007: Best Female Group (KBS Music Bank, May 28th, 2007)
2007: 1st Place "한번 더, OK?" (Mnet M!Countdown, June 7th, 2007)
2007: Mutizen Song Award "한번 더, OK?" (SBS Inki Gayo, June 17th, 2007)
2007: Best Female Group (Korean Performing Arts Awards , October 6th, 2007)
2007: Best Dance (2007 M.NET/KM Music Festival, November 17th, 2007)

As usual, it was adapted from Wikipedia.

Just wanna keep it, so I’ll remember that I ever fan this group. They are amazing indeed~^^

Like Dana the most. She’s the leader of the group. She has good voice, *wish I can sing like her*. And Stephanie, I’m jealous to her, because she dance ballet well, *wish I can. I don’t even learn it* nyahaha~

Labels: The Grace